GOLDFINGER - Content

GOLDFINGER

By the time the third James Bond movie, “Goldfinger” (1964), came around, the British secret agent with a license to kill had already become a worldwide phenomenon.

The earlier films — “Dr. No” (1962) and “From Russia With Love” (1963) — were hugely successful. So much so that ripoff and spoofy spy pictures galore were being churned out to catch the wave.

But then came “Goldfinger,” which is funnier, glitzier and more gimmicky than the first two, and which boasts memorable villains, unforgettable action sequences (chiefly the raid on Fort Knox) and the introduction of Bond’s tricked-out Aston Martin sports car. All of which sent the franchise into the cinematic/cultural stratosphere.

James Bond (Sean Connery) initially encounters Auric Goldfinger (Gert Frobe) at a Miami hotel where the villain is using assistant Jill Masterson (Shirley Eaton) to help him cheat at gin rummy. Bond locates Masterson, distracts her and causes Goldfinger to lose the game. Later, Bond is knocked unconscious and awakens to find Jill dead and covered head to toe in gold paint.

Naturally, Bond doesn’t take this lying down, so when he receives an assignment to investigate Goldfinger’s gold-smuggling operation, he takes the opportunity to insult and infuriate him first.

But an encounter with Goldfinger’s henchman Oddjob (Harold Sakata) and his lethal bowler leads to Bond’s capture. Bond then tries to win over one of Goldfinger’s associates (Honor Blackman) before Operation Grand Slam — a bold attempt to rob Fort Knox — goes into effect.

Harold Sakata, left, Sean Connery, Gert Frobe, 'Goldfinger'

Many of the 23 Bond films are exciting, thrilling, clever and enjoyable, but “Goldfinger” arguably offers the most fun of any single film in the long-running series (No. 24 due this November).

And a rare opportunity to see “Goldfinger” on the big screen is just too good to miss.